We’re proud of our annual beautification awards, a tradition that began in 1997 with the first Duane and Eileen Budnick Outstanding Home Improvement Award. In 1995, The Budnicks wanted to improve the neighborhood, so they found eight dilapidated houses to transform over the years. An award in their name was created to surprise and honor them. Duane was especially pleased. Later that month he passed away from cancer.
What we look for
Bright spot awards are given annually to three homeowners, including business owners to recognize home improvements. The properties are chosen based on improvement to the home, landscaping, pristine maintenance or overall dramatic transformation. We give bright yellow ‘Bright Spot’ yard signs; plus the grand prize winner gets a gift certificate and all receive plants from a local nursery.
Why it matters
Improvements attract new neighbors and businesses. When you’re proud, you make a good first impression — and it shows! You attract other like-minded home buyers, encourage others to fix-it-up, increase property values and reduce crime.
A beautiful neighborhood tells the world, “hey, we’re worth investing in!”
Help us!
So, if you like to walk and admire freshly painted houses, new fencing and landscaping; take a moment to write down the address and send it to us. Consider nominating your own house, take that before and after picture to show of the changes! Our committee keeps a running tally of homes “in progress” to nominate each year.
Beautification Committee
SESNA’s Beautification Committee does not only bring you the annual Bright Spot Awards, but also regularly organizes litter pickups in the neighborhood.
History
2020
Announcement and property pictures
- Budnick Award: 1865 Trade St SE, 97301
- Winner: 265 18th St SE, 97301
- Winner: 13th Street Nursery, 1928 13th St SE, 97302 – Business
- 237 Richmond Ave SE, 97301
- 340 17th St SE, 97301
- 365 17th St SE, 97301
- 2320 State St SE, 97301
- 2140 Mill St SE, 97301
2019
- Budnick Award: 297 18th St SE, 97301
- Winner: 2025 Trade St SE, 97301 – Fixed up by flippers from Vancouver
- Winner: 2290 State ST SE, 97301 – Business
- Winner: 1440 Ferry St SE, 97301
- 237 Richmond Ave SE, 97301
- 340 17th St SE, 97301
- 365 17th St SE, 97301
- 2320 State St SE, 97301
- 2140 Mill St SE, 97301
2018
- Budnick Award: 335 24th St SE, 97301
- Winner: 895 23rd St SE, 97301
- Winner: Tomson/Burnham LLC, 901 13th St SE, 97302
- 1349 12th St SE, 97302 – Apartment complex
- 345 22nd St SE, 97301
- 205 23rd St SE, 97301
- 298 24th St SE, 97301
- 2170 Trade St SE, 97301
- 2465 Hyde St SE, 97301
- 1780 Trade St SE, 97301 – Duplex
- 1800 State St SE, 97301 – New dental office
- 2201-2190 Mill St SE, 97301
2017
- Budnick Award: 1175 16th St SE, 97301
- Winner: 620 25th St SE, 97301
- Winner: 460 21st St SE, 97301
- 1565 Trade St SE, 97301
- 2382 State St SE, 97301
- 1560 Wilbur St SE, 97302
- 1065 14th St SE, 97302
- 370 19th St SE, 97301
- 2348 Lee St SE, 97301
- 2410 State St SE, 97301
- 2515 Lee St SE, 97301
- 1740 Waller St SE, 97301
2016
- Budnick Award: 365 23rd St SE, 97302
- Winner: 1144 12th St SE, 97302 – Apartment complex
- Winner: 230 14th St SE, 97301
2015
- Winner: 1670-1690 Bellevue St SE, 97301 – Triplex
- Winner: 2190 Trade St SE, 97301
- Winner: 196 25th St SE, 97301
- 330 16th St SE, 97301
- 2470 Trade St SE, 97301
- 310 Richmond St SE, 97301
- 364 24th St SE, 97301
- 2460 Trade St SE, 97301
2014
- Winner: 624 19th St SE, 97301
- Winner: 321 19th St SE, 97301
- Winner: 1936 Ferry St SE, 97301
2013
- 195 23rd St SE, 97301
- 290 15th St SE, 97301
- 2223 Hyde St SE, 97301
- 434 17th St SE, 97301
- Mill Creek Townhouses, 3790 Augusta National Dr S, 97302
2012
- Budnick Award: 421 24th St SE, 97301
- 421 Richmond Ave SE, 97301
- 2220 Mill St SE, 97301
- 465 21st St SE, 97301
2011
- Budnick Award: 337 18th St SE, 97301
- 415 23rd St SE, 97301
- 360 21st St SE, Apt. 1, 97301
2010
- Budnick Award: 2047 Mill St SE, 97301
- 2460 Hyde St Se, 97301 – Immaculate landscaping
- 535 18th St SE, 97301 – Outstanding, imaginative colors
- 870 23rd St SE, 97301 – Swimming in potted plants and hanging baskets
- 305 23rd St SE, 97301 – Consistently well maintained
- 2090 Ferry St SE, 97301 – Much improved
- 265 18th St SE, 97301 – Cottage garden
- 363-369 18th St SE, 97301 – Apartment complex
- 525 16th St SE, 97301 – Improved with paint & landscaping
- 311 Richmond Ave SE, 97301 – Consistently well-maintained
Special mention: 290 19th St SE, 97301 – Multi-family single house where tenants have created beautiful flower gardens.
2009
- 2094 Trade St SE, 97301
- 495 Richmond Ave SE, 97301
- 1590 Trade St SE, 97301 – Most improved
- 930 Ford St SE, 97301 – Best maintained
- 1096 23rd St SE, 97301 – Landscaping
- 1618 thru 1679 Hines St SE, 1158 and 1168 16th St SE, and 1153 thru 1173 17th St SE, 97302 – Apartment complex
2008
- Budnick Award: 1645 Mill St SE, 97301
- 395 14th St SE, 97301 – Best Maintained
- 297 15th St SE, 97301
- 294 16th St SE, 97301
- 2522-2556 Simpson St SE, 97301
- 2310 Hyde St SE, 97301 – Maintenance
- 397 19th St SE, 97301 – Flowers & lawn
2007
- 2410 Simpson St SE, 97301
- 420 20th St SE, 97301
- 445 18th St SE, 97301
- 455-459 19th St SE, 97301 – Triplex
- 2465 Helm St SE, 97301
2006
- 2455 Adams St SE, 97301
- 1096 23rd St SE, 97301
- 2410 Hyde St SE, 97301
- 2567-1/2 Simpson St SE, 97301
- 425 21st St SE, 97301
2005
Most Improved
- 2395 Hyde St SE, 97301
- 346 23rd St SE, 97301
- 549 18th St SE, 97301
- 2135 Bellevue St SE, 97301
- 260 15th St SE, 97301
Best Maintained
- 2410 Adams St SE, 97301
- 2268 Trade St SE, 97301
1999
- 2359 Lee St SE, 97301
- 2370 Adams St SE, 97301
- 573 19th St SE, 97301
- 298 23rd St SE, 97301
- 200 22nd St SE, 97301
- Duck Inn, 1980 State St SE, 97301
1998
- 2390 Claude St SE, 97301
- 2410 Adams St SE, 97301
- 590 22nd St SE, 97301
- 1790 Lee St SE, 97302
- 311 Richmond Ave SE, 97301
- Capital Park Wesleyan Church, 410 19th St SE, 97301
1997
- 212 21st St SE, 97301
- 517 23rd St SE, 97301
- 1720 State St, 97301